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Politics & Government

Refuge in Their Time of Need

Future plans for the area around Canton's emergency cold weather shelter include a church, soccer fields and outreach programs.

When cold temperatures hit Canton in December, about housing the homeless. Not long after, teamed up with MUST Ministries to offer a temporary solution–an emergency cold weather shelter. Today, that solution is on its way to becoming a permanent fixture in the Canton community.

Opened Feb. 3 at 89 Hickory Flat Hwy., the shelter is a joint venture between MUST Ministries and Changed 2 Ministries, the Canton division of First Baptist Church Woodstock. While he knew there was a need for such a facility, Randy Richardson said the ball really got rolling after two men died from spending a night outside in a nearby area well-known as a homeless gathering spot.

“When the two men died last year, we knew we weren’t going to let that happen again,” said Richardson, the First Baptist pastoral care associate in charge of the shelter.

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While , Richardson said he knows the need is there to help homeless residents in Canton. He reached out to MUST Ministries, which operates a shelter in Marietta, so he could draw on its expertise in running one in Canton. But he said none of this would have been possible without the city's involvement.

After the property was secured, Richardson said the city waived all fees for the necessary building and fire permits.

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“We now have a safe place to have for (those in need) that is open when needed,” he said. “The police and fire chiefs know it’s open and can direct those in need (to the shelter)."

On evenings when the temperature is 38ºF or lower, the shelter is staffed by volunteers starting at 6:30 p.m. From 7 to 11 p.m., visitors can check in for the night. Everyone must register at the shelter and agree to abide by shelter rules before admittance.

In addition to having a place to sleep, visitors also receive a meal that evening as well as a sack breakfast to take with them when they leave in the morning. Shelter volunteers also share the gospel and have a devotion with visitors. All visitors must leave by 7 a.m. (In the event it’s still too cold, visitors can stay until temperatures warm up.)

“We want them out looking for work,” Richardson said.

Although the shelter originally opened to provide a warm respite for those in need, Richardson said he plans to keep the shelter open as long as it’s needed.

“We want to help the community when they have nowhere to go in the evening,” he said. “We want to be there for them.”

Thus far, the shelter has welcomed a small number of visitors, but Richardson said he expects that number to grow.

“We expect as word spreads that more people will be aware of it and use it,” he said.

Along with the shelter facility, Richardson said the lease includes the surrounding nine acres. Future plans include a church, soccer fields and outreach programs such as English tutoring, basic computing and basic reading classes.

“We’re there for the long haul, not just this cold spell,” he said. “All of this is for the community.”

For more information on the shelter or to volunteer, e-mail Richardson at changed2@windstream.net.

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